Filmed mainly in Vienna's splendid "Musikvereinssaal," the Mozart
symphonies conducted by Karl Böhm are all interpreted by one of the
world's foremost orchestras, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, whose
principal conductors have included Wilhelm Furtwängler, Bruno Walter,
Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado and, of course, Karl Böhm. "Thanks to
Bruno Walter's exemplary performances, particularly of Mozart's works, I
grabbed on to Mozart and fell in love with him so much that I had only one
wish: to conduct Mozart, Mozart, Mozart." (Karl Böhm)
After his trip to Paris in 1778, Mozart spent only two and a half more
years in Salzburg before leaving the service of the hated Prince Archbishop
forever. During this period, his self-confidence seems to have grown
considerably, if we are to judge from the bold, ambitious Symphonies
K. 318, 319 and 338 that were the last he wrote in Salzbug before settling
in Vienna as a freelance musician. Written in the brilliant, formal key of
C major, the Symphony has a grand, majestic flow. The vigorous first
movement is followed by a graceful, rococo-like Andante for strings and
bassoons. The work closes with a lilting Allegro vivace in a tarantella
rhythm.
Karl Böhm was universally acclaimed for his Mozart interpretations. Though
Wagner was one of Böhm's first loves, his friendship with Richard Strauss
led to a deep knowledge and appreciation of Mozart. In his autobiography,
Böhm wrote that "Richard Strauss revealed to me the ultimate secrets of
this, in my opinion, greatest of all musical geniuses, Mozart." Böhm's
discovery of these secrets transformed his Mozart interpretations into
unforgettable events.
The DVD is also released within the complete "Mozart / Böhm" DVD package which is available in selected stores worldwide and through Amazon or JPC.